Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-04-02

that the vehicle was joiting considera-
bly, m than the character Of the road
warranted, though il was bad road
When the pitching and tossing Of the
concern greaw unbearable I stuck NV
head out Of the window and was just in
time to see the driver turn nalf out OF
the road and deliberately drive over a
big bowlder. As he did so my guide
laughed, and they both appeared to be
very much tickled about something
After this thing had been kept up for
some time demonstrated. From this
on the pair appeared to keep watch
on me, for whenever drew in my head
the jolting commenced again with ter,
lame and sore that my guide had tc
help me out Of the stage and into the
road ranch where we put up for tht
night. | shall not attempt to describe
the horrors Of that night, nor the one
following it. for it took us three horrible
days to reach the end Of our journey
We reached the terminus Of the road
after dark. | put in another night OF
agony at this place, intending in the
morning TO find our manager, demand
the discharge of my guide, and inaug-
urate reforms in various directions.
In the morning l was utterly crush
ed when my guide informed me bandly
that our horses were ready and il was
time we were moving on. ! imagined
we had reached the ranch, and the pros
pect of a day in the saddle in my bruis-
ed and manned condition was heart
breaking"
Here the young man paused again to
groan and grit his teeth. Having turn
ed the soft side of his chair cushion up
ward and reseated himself with extreme
care, he continued:
There were few skinny looking
Texas steers moving dejectedly about
the premises. My guide informed me
that these belonged to our ranch, SO be-
fore we started l counted them carefully
and entered the number in my book.
Ny guide then led up two ofthe sorriest
looking brutrs that ever wore saddle
and bride. He held mine while
mounted, and then got into his own
saddle. His horse-broncos they call
the brutes ont there-at once began
most extraordinary gymnastic exhibit
ton. and mine soon became similarly
affected Pye ridden the most vicious
animals to be found in the east, but
compared TO the one | now had under
me they were as a pleasant breeze on
May morning to Montana blizzard
in January. My guide didn't seem to
mind il much, but was soon living on
the frozen ground, a broken mangled
wreck. Ny guide said that the beast
who is accountable for my present
manned condition was the gentlest the
country afforded. lie said, however,
that there was an aged mare somewhere
about that they used to rake hay with
in the summer He would saddle her,
he said, and We would still be able to
make the home ranch before Sunday
it was now Thursday morning. l prav-
ed that might live to see another Sab
bath. They brought the old mare up
and put me astride of her. Before
had got my right foot in the stirrup she
set up the most phenomenal streak of
bucking that | firmly believe the terri
tory Of Montana ever saw. went off
at the first buck, but the old brute kept
up her kicking and plunging till she
went out of sight over "A hill mile away
My guide said the tamest broncho was
apt to be little frisky in the morning
but by the time he brought the old
mare back she'd be all right. My right
arm was fractured below the elbow, but
l rolled over and pulled out my six
shooter with my left hand and COM
manded my guide, under pain Of instant
death, to 60 for a wagon. He was gone
thirty six hours and returned with six
mules attached to an old government
wagon, manufactured years before
springs were heard Of I'll not weary
you with description of that trip. 1t
occupied two days and part Of one night.
When we reached the home ranch
had a high fever, ard made the discov-
cry that two Of my ribs were broken.
One of them pierced the left lobe lung,
and | had quite a serious hemorrhage.
When | was able to endure the journey
they took me to Helena and put me
aboard the east-bound train. arrived
here this morning, and after rest of a
few days will proceed to Boston"
"Well, but the percentage of loss !;
you've forgotten to -"
Young man, bewarew interrupted
the catteman, rising painfully. with a
look Of menace on his pale face 81 have
told you all; ask me no more ques-
tions."
The Grand Pacific and Palmer House
registers bear evidence that quite a